Scared to Medicate for Insomnia or Anxiety

[piratelady]

I'll try to be concise. As we've started trauma therapy and then I've had some other stressors pop up as well, I've started to struggle more than normal. I'm not sleeping much, I'm anxious all the time, I'm crying constantly over little things that don't matter at all. Even in therapy, normally I start out a little anxious, then calm down. But I've struggled to even calm down there. My therapist brought up medication again. He's suggested anti-depressants a few times but knows that I'm against them for myself (long story, lots of bad experiences). He suggested I consider getting something to help me sleep or calm down since I told him I believe if I could just get a good night's sleep the other symptoms would improve. He's even offered to talk to my doctor.

So, today I gave up. I made an appointment with my primary care doctor. I told the receptionist I needed help with some insomnia. I'm seeing the actual doctor (not the PA), tomorrow morning. I'm going to try to be as honest as I can with him. But I'm still apprehensive.

I would prefer something I can take as-needed, just when I can't sleep or when the anxiety is more than I can handle, rather than taking something daily? Is there something like that?

I've heard bad things about Ambien, like people sleep walking. I'm also scared of sleeping pills because if my nightmares are really bad I want to be able to wake up. Or if something bad happens in my house I don't want to sleep through it. Then there is my co-worker, she was given Xanax (for "racing heart beat" really it's anxiety) She's needed it daily for like 12 years and can't get off of it. I'm worried about that too.

Maybe medications aren't for me? I mean, are there any that are safe and non-addictive?

Then the other worry I have is if I let the two of them talk to each other. My therapist has offered to talk to my doctor. I'm guessing my doctor will ask to talk to my therapist. What would they say to each other? Would they try to force anti-depressants on me? I just see a lot of ways that can go wrong.

Does any one have any advice?

 

[EveHarrington]

Well there are many medications out there that aren't antidepressants that work on anxiety. I'm on three different meds for anxiety and none are antidepressants.

Most psych meds aren't addictive. Even benzos aren't technically addicting, rather they can cause dependency if taken regularly. (It's best to take them only as needed, not every day, and for short term use).

If depression isn't an issue, an antidepressant may not be the best for you anyway.

 

[littleoc]

I think if you share all this with your doctor, you may be able to find something that fits your needs well.

I’m currently trying different new medications, and I’ve gotten comfortable only because I realized that if something goes wrong, I can just stop taking it, and I’ll be okay.

That said, I’m supposed to start a new med and I’m afraid of it, so I completely understand what you mean. Much easier said that done. But the right med can really improve your life. Insomnia is a really difficult thing to deal with

Good luck ?

 

[Freida]

I have an ongoing xanex prescription for insomnia, but I was recently prescribed Atarax when I was having my melt down a week or so ago. It's kind of like benedryl on steroids, but it worked amazingly well. And it's non addictive so that was a plus. I got it thru urgency care and I'm going to talk to my GP at the end of the month to get a refill and try it again. Might be one to ask your doc about?

 

[ILoveLife]

I take ativan on SOS basis.

When I can't sleep for a few days, it usually regulates my sleeping patterns if I take it for 3 days straight.

It's an anti-anxiety med.

Mood stabilizers are good for sleep, anxiety and depression too.

 

[MyWillow]

I’m avoiding meds. My psydoc and my psychologist are cool with that. Trying to reduce stress and work load, increase exercise, train my dogs, daily yoga, going stupid slow in therapy. I sleep but the nightmares and flashbacks mess it up big time. Seeing your GP for meds is NOT giving up. It’s just another technique to try. I understand your reticence though.

 

[piratelady]

going stupid slow in therapy

I wonder if this is part of why my therapist keeps pushing them. I'm trying to power through trauma therapy, but it's messing me up quite a bit. Since I won't slow down, maybe this is an alternative. he does keep saying that I'm go at it head on, then a while later he'll comment on my emotional state as of late.

Thank you everyone for all your replies! I feel so much more informed before I go in a couple hours.

So, to my other question - does anyone know what they say when your GP and therapist talk about you? I guess maybe that's a question for therapist.

 

[MyWillow]

My GP, psydoc and psych have communicated by letter and by phone. They always offer to show me the letters and/or bring up what was discussed. Nothing secretive. Makes me feel like I’ve got a team in my corner.

Yes I repeatedly get reminded that I need to be patient. Pushing too hard just triggers dissociation and flashbacks which doesn’t help anyone.

 

[ILoveLife]

All my therapists want to communicate with my pdoc, but pdoc doesn't have it. She says I can ask her questions they may have, sure, but there is no need to communicate between them.

 

[meander]

I struggled with getting the 2 together too but my therapist advised me to and initially my GP was a bit dismissive because I had self referred but then I was in there again for a check up after starting meds and she was more understanding and now 2 months down the line I’m glad I did, they have both been supportive in their specialities and made me and my issues the focus. It was hard to communicate initially but it’s got easier. I feared my GP would overreact and that my therapist had suggested I was unfit or unsafe to work etc but they both let me make the choices, the same with meds.

 

[Freida]

I'm trying to power through trauma therapy, but it's messing me up quite a bit.

Yep - that could be a big part of it. Not like I had the same issue or anything :laugh: I take a really low dose of wellbutrin just to quiet my brain down when it starts to eat itself and it seems to help with that "go faster go faster" thing. I also have a bunch of stuff from my natropath that is really helpful so that could be an option if you aren't ready to make the jump to meds. Just make sure you let your GP and therapist know thats in play also.

 

[piratelady]

This went way better than expected! He gave me a weeks worth of Lunesta as an experiment since I claim my emotional issues are exacerbated by a lack of sleep.

I have to go back in a week to discuss. If we don’t think I’m seeing improvement we’ll look at something for anxiety. He’s leaning towards gabapentin. He says it will help with migraine prevention, sleep, and anxiety. A three-far!

And I got a flu shot for good measure lol

What I’m not sure about is what level of relief I should look for in making the decision next week. Maybe that will be a question for therapist.